Rusk County Historical Society

Also Enjoy…

Performers

The WoodPicks

Unique talents of the five members of northern Minnesota’s The WoodPicks have helped them forge a unique blend of instrumental dexterity and vocal presence. Their enjoyable stage show incorporates strong harmonies and musical style that features their own arrangements of original music and old favorites. The group came together in 2005 when the band started playing northern Minnesota venues. Their acoustic mix includes Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and Americana music. One of their original arrangements, “Barn Again!” was included in a collection of rural Americana for the Smithsonian Institute. They perform at county fairs, bluegrass festivals, urban and rural venues and corporate events.

Double Down Daredevils

The Double Down Daredevils came about when Tom Peschges and Nathan Fjeld met at a Minnesota Bluegrass Festival. Both were camped at the Double Down camping area and met jamming around the campfire. They became jam buddies and soon after good friends. At one of the festivals, Tom suggested they put together a band from their camping friends and take a slot at the Festival Open Mic Stage. Some of the regulars were a little stage shy, but with Tim Wankel on bass, they signed up and needing a name, Tom -who has always been overly enamored by the allure of alliteration- dubbed them, the Double Down Daredevils!

The Biscuit Boys

The Biscuit Boys were formed in 2012 over the love of bluegrass music. Dan Fish, sophisticated purveyor of biscuits and gravy, founded the group seeking harmony singers. The band consists of Dan ‘Buttermilk’ Fish, Tim ‘Buckwheat’ Wankel, Nathan ‘Hotrise’ Fjeld and Mike ‘Sourdough’ Steele. The Biscuit Boys blend three part harmony into most of the repertoire. The band has Guitar, Bass, Banjo and Mandolin. This group is often found about campfire jams whenever available and proudly invite all to join. We have all been playing music of various genres for a long time, so each player brings something different to the band. It’s all about the song and the community.

King Wilkie’s Dream

What’s in a name? King Wilkie was Bill Monroe’s horse. King Wilkie’s Dream is a fiddle tune, written by our own John Niemann. The band, King Wilkie’s Dream, has little to do with the subject-matter of the tune, but everything to do with the musical thoughts and emanations of its four members, John Niemann – guitar, fiddle, mandolin, vocals, Shane Zack – mandolin, guitar, vocals, Vaughn Asselstine – bass, vocals, and Robbi Podrug – fiddle, vocals.

Blue Hazard

The five-piece formed in 2000 and is comprised of three siblings and two friends. With a relentless desire to make an emotional connection with their audience, Blue Hazard mixes their love of contemporary mediums with old-soul roots to create an impactful musical experience. Evolving from a novice family band into dedicated and earnest musicians, the group impresses listeners with their crisp harmonies, complex arrangements, and honest & diverse songwriting.

Art Stevenson & High Water

Art Stevenson & High Water is Wisconsin’s best-known bluegrass show, and has been in demand throughout the Midwest festival circuit since 1993. The band’s bluegrass sound comes from the close duet singing of husband and wife team Art and Stephanie Stevenson, along with the spirited banjo and Dobro playing of Dale Reichert, and the hard-driving mandolin picking of Bruce King. Their seventh album, Twilight, has just been released (August 2013). High Water’s music is heard on bluegrass radio programs around the USA and has received critical acclaim in the magazines Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now. Recording artist James King and country music historian Bill Malone agree that Art and Stephanie Stevenson rank among the best duet singers active today.